This book begins by a boy named Max dressing up as a wolf and running crazy around his house. His mom becomes angry and sends him to his room. This makes the boy angry causing him to transform into “A Wild Thing” and his bedroom turns into a jungle. The boy ends up intimating another wild thing and decides to return home.
4) The genre or type of literature it is (e.g., essay, fictional short story, historical novel).
Fiction
5) The situations in the book that may be considered "questionable."
The main issue that caused this book to be considered questionable is how the boy throws a tantrum after being punished for running wild around his house. The concept of witchcraft and supernatural elements when the boy escapes to where the Wild Things are, also caused controversy.
6) The general public's opinion of the book (include cited references). “Having a story about a small child throwing a tantrum for the benefit of his mother was not a story you were going to find in children’s literature before the 1960s, because children weren’t supposed to yell at their mothers. The idea that children experience rage and that it’s a natural part of their psyche was a new idea to children’s picture books. This is why some people were afraid of Where the Wild Things Are when it was first published.” http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/9/wherewild.php 7) The history of its censorship.
When the book was first published, it was banned for two years before finally reaching library shelves in 1960. Librarians and teachers were still on the fence about the book for two more years until they noticed students reading and rereading this book.
8) The developmental age of the child for whom the book would be appropriate.
It is read to children from infant age. Real developmental appropriateness is for 6-8 years old who can understand and discuss the issues in the book.
- Where the Wild Things Are
2) The author- Maurice Sendak
3) A short description- This book begins by a boy named Max dressing up as a wolf and running crazy around his house. His mom becomes angry and sends him to his room. This makes the boy angry causing him to transform into “A Wild Thing” and his bedroom turns into a jungle. The boy ends up intimating another wild thing and decides to return home.
4) The genre or type of literature it is (e.g., essay, fictional short story, historical novel).- Fiction
5) The situations in the book that may be considered "questionable."- The main issue that caused this book to be considered questionable is how the boy throws a tantrum after being punished for running wild around his house. The concept of witchcraft and supernatural elements when the boy escapes to where the Wild Things are, also caused controversy.
6) The general public's opinion of the book (include cited references).“Having a story about a small child throwing a tantrum for the benefit of his mother was not a story you were going to find in children’s literature before the 1960s, because children weren’t supposed to yell at their mothers. The idea that children experience rage and that it’s a natural part of their psyche was a new idea to children’s picture books. This is why some people were afraid of Where the Wild Things Are when it was first published.” http://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/9/wherewild.php
7) The history of its censorship.
- When the book was first published, it was banned for two years before finally reaching library shelves in 1960. Librarians and teachers were still on the fence about the book for two more years until they noticed students reading and rereading this book.
8) The developmental age of the child for whom the book would be appropriate.